Roberts Space Industries announced that its upcoming space simulation Star Citizen (being helmed by Chris Roberts - creator of Wing Commander and Privateer) has raised over $15 million through crowd-funding. The crowdfunding cash comes from a combination of money raised through a highly successful Kickstarter campaign and crowd-funding efforts on the Roberts Space Industries company and Star Citizen web sites.

"It’s unbelievable: Star Citizen fans have helped us reach the $15 million mark without any special promotion!" the company wrote on its web site. "Ten years ago, big publishers decided space games weren’t profitable… and you are proving them very, very wrong!"

Roberts Space Industries revealed that reaching this milestone unlocks some new features to be added into the game including the flyable ship class, the escort carrier; a free digital 42-page Upgrade Handbook manual (which explains how to overclock your ship's computer); an in-game laser pistol for every backer (for people that funded up to this milestone); and a whole lot more.

Roberts Space Industries also revealed the $17 million rewards, should the company hit that milestone. Those unlocks include a ship upgrade package for every backer containing an engine modifier; and an additional flyable ship class: battlecruiser.